RWC: Japan v Ireland (Pool A)

[taniwharugby]

Murray looked bewildered at being pinged for using the body on the ground for support

[MiketheSnow]

Tier 1 execution, patience and skill from Japan.

Murray should have gone to the bin for that.

Knew exactly what he was doing.

Should be 9-12 save for the poor first kick from Japan.

[ACT Crusader]

Excellent scrum Japan. Held it and then pushed. Penalty.

[ACT Crusader]

Need points here Japan.

[nzzp]

I like these Brave Blossoms. Mofos are brave

[MiketheSnow]

Leitch the best player on the park

[ACT Crusader]

Some massive hits in this game.

Intensity wise it’s up their with the Boks and ABs match.

[MiketheSnow]

Thought Japan would be targeting the Scotland and Samoa matches but if they keep this up this could be the ultimate smash & grab

Japan 9 - 12 Ireland
39 mins gone

[Billy Tell]

We have ourselves a match here.

[KiwiMurph]

Brilliant passage of play by Japan.

Japanese halfback is an absolute gun.

[MiketheSnow]

Ooooooh

The bounce of the rugby ball.

Thst could prove costly for Japan.

Half-time couldn't come soon enough for Ireland.

Look rattled.

[Tim]

Ref has got to penalise those Irish "lazy runners". Just happening too often.

[Billy Tell]

That was a quality 40 from japan. Controlled tactical fluid. Ireland strike me as a team that could choke. Japan need to score first after half time, ideally a try, to sow some doubt.

[Billy Tell]

@Tim said in RWC: Japan v Ireland (Pool A):

Ref has got to penalise those Irish "lazy runners". Just happening too often.

Yip if it continues there’ll be a YC for sure. Cynical.

[MiketheSnow]

@Tim said in RWC: Japan v Ireland (Pool A):

Ref has got to penalise those Irish "lazy runners". Just happening too often.

Definitely. All in the phase just before Japan are ready to break Ireland open.

Ireland playing the ref to perfection but Gardner needs to wise up.

[Tim]

@MiketheSnow Yeah, they're not particularly late, but their positioning and timing was putting Japan off.

[No Quarter]

Bounce of the ball well and truly going Ireland’s way so far, could be quite a different score line. Great to see Japan giving it a good crack, will be a challenge to keep it up for the full 80 though.

[sparky]

Reminding me of Brighton. If Japan are within 7 with ten minutes to go, the crowd will be insane.

[MiketheSnow]

I don't think Ireland have the legs for this type of match

[nzzp]

@MiketheSnow said in RWC: Japan v Ireland (Pool A):

I don't think Ireland have the legs for this type of match

Love yoru optimism, but I reckon they'll close it out easily in the end.

Delighted to see Japan goin gwell, though. Great for Rugby to get the No 1 side pushed liek this by a 'minnow'